Monthly Archives: October 2012

As I do more research into what happened to the children of Joseph Lawrence (who were probably born in this house!) and update the Lawrence family portion of the site accordingly, I’m finding that all 3 of his sons were politicians at either the state or federal level. Some of their sons and/or grandsons went on to become politicians, lawyers or judges as well. Very interesting! Pictured below is George Van Eman Lawrence, son of Joseph Lawrence II and grandson of Joseph Lawrence who built and owned the house.

US Congressman. Elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 24th District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1865 to 1869, and 1883 to 1885. He also served as a Member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in 1844, Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1850 to 1851, 1861 to 1863, and 1876 to 1882, and Delegate to the Pennsylvania State Constitutional Convention in 1872. (bio by: K)

I have to wonder how closely George Van Eman Lawrence resembled his grandfather Joseph as well as his great grandfather John. His father, Joseph Lawrence II (probably born in this house!) was also a US Congressman. Here is his bio listed on the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress:

Member of the State house of representatives 1818-1824 and served as speaker 1820-1822; elected as an Adams candidate to the Nineteenth and Twentieth Congresses (March 4, 1825-March 3, 1829); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1828 to the Twenty-first Congress; again a member of the state house of representatives 1834-1836; state treasurer in 1837; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1838 to the Twenty-sixth Congress; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress and served from March 4, 1841, until his death in Washington, D.C., April 17, 1842; chairman, Committee on Roads and Canals (Twenty-seventh Congress); interment in the Congressional Cemetery.

There seem to be plenty more in addition to the 3 sons and grandsons, but I’m only going to research so much as it can become overwhelming.

These pictures were taken back in November 2006, when we had decided we would attempt to start renovating the foyer (which as of this date, is still a work-in-progress!). We started stripping the steps and exposing the right-hand wall, which would have been the exterior of what is most likely the original building before it was added on. The ceiling was also exposed –

One of the logs had a signature written over the paint. “A.N. ?

Unfortunately, I don’t think the pictures convey what a HUGE mess this was. In addition to the obvious horsehair plaster and dust, there was a mixture of bedding, POOP, dead things, fur, and nuts within the ceiling because, at some point, creatures had managed to work their way into the house for a period of time. The dust settled in the house for weeks.